Boxer Shiva Thapa qualifies for Rio Olympics, setback for Mary Kom

New Delhi, Mar 31: In a good news for Indian pugilists, boxer Shiva Thapa has qualified for the upcoming Rio Olympics 2016 in the 56kg event category after entering AIBA Asian and Oceanic Olympic boxing qualifier's final in Qian'an, China.

Thapa has become the first Indian pugilist to have sealed a berth for the Rio Olympics. He has defeated Kairat Yeraliyev 3-0 in the semi-finals.

The pugilist said that he was very worked up about this bout and that it was very important for him.

"I want to thank god for having managed to achieve this. I was very worked up about this bout, it was the most important bout for me. So I am totally exhausted and relieved at the same time," Shiva told PTI.

India's ace boxer Vijender Singh took to Twitter to congratulate the boxer from North-East for making it to Rio Olympics.

Thapa now hopes to live up to the expectations by bringing a medal and thanked his coaches.

"I have very little time at hand for rest and recovery as the final bout is tomorrow itself. So, it's slowly sinking in. I can't thank enough my coaches and all those who supported me in this journey. I hope to come good on expectations this time by winning an Olympic medal," he said.

Meanwhile, disappointment came across MC Mary Kom's hands as the Olympic bronze medallist failed to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Mary Kom lost her semi-final bout against China's Ren Cancan 0-3 in the 51kg category.

MC Mary Kom

Although Mary can no longer qualify for the Olympics through this event, but she still has a chance to seal a berth for Rio 2016 if she wins AIBA qualification events, scheduled before this mega-sporting event in August.